Petra

Petra, originally known to its inhabitants as Raqmu in Nabataean Aramaic, is an ancient city and archaeological site located in southern Jordan. Renowned for its elaborate rock-cut architecture, innovative water-management systems, and striking rose-coloured sandstone cliffs, Petra is among the world’s most iconic archaeological landscapes. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and widely recognised as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The area has been inhabited since at least 7000 BC, and by the 4th century BC it became home to the Nabataeans, an Arab people who transformed the region into a thriving centre of trade, culture, and engineering.

Geographical Setting and Early Development

Situated in a mountainous desert basin, Petra lies between natural rock formations that created both a defensive position and unique topographical features for water collection. The Siq, a narrow gorge nearly 1.2 kilometres long, forms the dramatic entrance to the city and exemplifies the geological characteristics that contributed to Petra’s strategic value.
Evidence from Beidha, a Neolithic settlement north of Petra, suggests that organised agriculture existed in the region by around 7000 BC. During the Bronze Age, Petra appears in Egyptian records and the Amarna letters under names such as Pel, Sela, or Seir, suggesting its early significance as a waypoint for desert communities.
In the Iron Age, approximately 1200–600 BC, the region was occupied by the Edomites, who capitalised on the area’s natural cisterns and elevated terrain. The mountainous landscape facilitated the storage of water and provided resting points for trading caravans transporting goods such as olive oil, wines, and timber. Archaeological excavations on Umm el-Biyārā reveal settlement activity by the 7th century BC, though some traditional accounts concerning violent historical events linked to this site remain debated.

Rise of the Nabataean Kingdom

The Nabataeans, originally nomadic pastoralists from the northern Arabian Peninsula, settled in the area around the 4th century BC. Though their early culture shows Aramaic influences, linguistic and archaeological evidence identifies them firmly as an Arabian people. Their adaptation to desert conditions and expertise in harvesting scarce rainfall allowed them to dominate regional trade routes, especially those associated with incense, spices, and textiles.
The Nabataean name for Petra, Raqm or Raqmu, appears in inscriptions as rqmw or rqm, and classical writers such as Josephus refer to the city as Rekem. The term is linked to Arabic roots meaning “to mark” or “to decorate”, a fitting reference to Petra’s ornate rock façades.
Petra became the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom in the 2nd century BC and flourished during the 1st century AD. Its population may have reached 20,000 at its peak. The construction of monumental structures such as Al-Khazneh (the Treasury) is attributed to this period, possibly serving as the mausoleum of King Aretas IV Philopatris.

Roman Annexation and Decline

In 106 AD, the Roman Empire annexed Nabataea under the administration of Aulus Cornelius Palma, forming the province of Arabia Petraea. Petra retained its status as a regional centre and benefitted from Roman infrastructure, including the construction of major roads such as the Via Traiana Nova, which linked the Red Sea to Roman Syria.
During the 2nd and 3rd centuries, Petra continued to enjoy prestige. Hadrian visited the city in 130 AD, granting it the epithet Hadriana Petra Metropolis, though the visit did not result in significant architectural expansion. Tomb construction, once a hallmark of the Nabataean period, largely ceased, possibly due to changing economic conditions or regional instability.
The city’s importance diminished gradually as maritime trade routes replaced overland caravan networks. The earthquake of 363 AD caused extensive damage, disrupting essential water systems and accelerating the city’s decline. Despite the downturn, Petra retained religious significance: inscriptions and artefacts indicate that deities such as Dushara and al-‘Uzzā continued to be venerated well into the Roman era.

Petra in the Byzantine Period

Under Byzantine rule, Petra became the capital of the province of Palaestina Salutaris. Several Christian churches were constructed, including the notable Byzantine Church, where the Petra papyri—contracts and documents from the 6th century—were discovered. These manuscripts demonstrate that Petra still maintained an active administrative and social life.
By the early 7th century, Petra’s prominence had faded significantly. The last historical reference from the Byzantine period, found in John Moschus’s Spiritual Meadow, mentions the city’s bishop, Athenogenes. Sometime before 687, Petra’s metropolitan bishopric was transferred to Rabba, marking the effective end of its ecclesiastical centrality. The city appears neither in early Islamic conquest narratives nor in early Arab historical records, indicating its abandonment by this time except for limited nomadic activity.

Rediscovery and Modern Significance

Following centuries of obscurity, Petra remained largely unknown to the Western world until Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered it in 1812 after disguising himself as an Arab traveller. His account rekindled global interest in the site, bringing it to the attention of explorers, historians, and archaeologists.
Today, Petra is Jordan’s most visited tourist destination and a powerful national symbol. Its intricate system of dams, cisterns, and channels stands as a testament to Nabataean engineering, while its elaborate façades carved directly into sandstone cliffs reflect a blend of Hellenistic, Arabian, and local artistic traditions. UNESCO has recognised Petra as “one of the most precious cultural properties of mankind’s cultural heritage”, and modern tourism brings nearly a million visitors annually.